Cactus Kurt_imp said:
After riding the CB1100, I'm gonna pass on the purchase. At 6' 2", I'm just too tall to feel comfortable. Compared to my KLR 650, the CB feels like a mini bike. The ergonomics on my KLR are perfect for my body dimensions and inseam (KLR's 35" seat height compared to the CB's 31.5"). I realize they are completely different styles, but the KLR is more comfortable (to me), even as a street bike. I planned on using the CB as my daily commuter (replacing my KLR), and comfort is top priority.
I know other taller riders have no issues with the ergonomics of the CB1100, but after riding KLRs for many years the CB just feels... small. I can stand over the CB with at least 3" of crotch clearance. Unfortunately for me, this results in a cramped riding position.
As I recall, the 1983 CB1100F I owned in my 20s felt much bigger than the current CB1100s, but I probably wasn't yet 6' 2" tall in 1983
I can identify with your observations as I too own a KLR650. I'm nearly 6'4" with 34" inseam and love the KLR ergos--fits like a glove. Between 2008 and 2010 I had the opportunity to do a couple Oregon-Mexico-Guatemala trips and my '07 KLR650 was a great bike for that because there were all sorts of fun non-paved roads to explore. And it was sufficient to handle long 700 mile hiway days too. After that, it became my "explore-my-own-backyard" mountains and forests of OR and WA, while always being my commuter bike too.
But I love "classical" looking bikes and enjoy a different mc vibe. But all the ones I looked at--Moto Guzzi V7, Triumph Bonnevilles and T120s, or throwbacks from the '80s (Yamaha XS650s)--all of them were "too small" for me. The other route I could have gone was to buy another adventure bike, but why if I was happy with the KLR650. So I just decided that the bike would fit me and I'd do what I could to make it better. I bought a simple foam "bleacher pad" and strapped it to the seat. That helped. On my '14 Standard I installed handle bar risers and that combined with the seat pads helped quite a bit. But I'm still tall on it and that won't change. Oh well. I did an OR to Illinois trip with that setup on the '14 CB1100 and I put footpegs on the engine guards I installed and that gave me some stretch-out room which helped as well.
With my current '17 CB1100ex, I still use seat pad, but haven't yet installed the handle bar risers because I don't feel the need to because I've gotten used to the smaller feel. But every time I ride the KLR650 several days in a row w/out using the CB, then the next time I get on the 1100, sure enough, it feels small again. But then I forget about it and ride the country roads and all is good!
Anyway, I'm planning another OR to...? trip for summer of 2020, prolly back to Illinois to visit my mom and possible all the way to NY to visit my daughter if her summer plans pan out for an internship. In that case, I'll put the risers on, and look for another set of hiway pegs for the engine guards, maybe buy another bleacher pad to raise the seat even slightly higher.
Lots of words to say I've made the CB1100 work for me, but there aren't too many classical looking bikes that will fit a tall person like a 35" seat height KLR650 will. One that does come to mind is the Triumph Scrambler, which I believe has a 34" seat. I've sat on those a few times and they are a noticeably better fit for me than the CB1100. Maybe that will be my next bike--but not for some time as I'm happy with what I've got.
If you need to replace the KLR, maybe a similar adventure bike would work for you. The Honda Africa Twin, Suzuki DR650, there's the Husky 701, KTM has several, Yamaha has a new 700 adv bike...lots of good chocies. Anyway, good luck with your search!
